‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Review Round-Up: What The Critics Are Saying

The first trailer for Thor: Ragnarok promised a visually stunning and comedic cosmic adventure and anticipation for the film has only increased since. Now, the first reviews for the God of Thunder’s third standalone entry suggest that the film will more than deliver on that promise, with some noting that the humor and colorful settings make up for the formulaic storyline. Director Taika Waititi and lead star Chris Hemsworth are applauded for taking the titular hero in an exciting new direction while the supporting characters including the Hulk, Grandmaster, Loki, and Valkyrie have been well-received in their own right. Interestingly, a few critics have stated that Cate Blanchett’s “one-note” Hela feels out of place in the otherwise fun and thrilling Marvel film.

“The colorful, clunky, sci-fi cityscape, filled with artistic influences from the master himself, Jack Kirby, is a great departure for a hero who is used to exploring floating castles and green meadows.”

“The relatively laidback angle on all the murderous spree-ing gives Chris Hemsworth a chance to find the comic groove beneath the title character’s beefcake godliness. He does it expertly, and the self-mocking humor is all the more welcome given Thor’s essential blandness. Even Anthony Hopkins’ high-ground patriarch feels a tad looser, while Tom Hiddleston offers more of the seething sarcasm that makes Loki, with his ever-shifting allegiances, the best thing to happen to bad hair in the new millennium.”

“What neither Hemsworth nor his director can overcome, though, is Ragnarok’s meandering and narcoleptic story. It’s the sort of rote, paint-by-numbers slog (occasionally broken up by numbing, pro forma smashy-smashy smackdowns) that makes so many Marvel movies feel like Xeroxes of other Marvel movies. I get the why-mess-with-success impulse. Especially when there’s so much money to be made in movies like this. But even the most diehard comic-book fan has to be getting a bit exhausted by a narrative formula that’s become as thin and watered down as skim milk. The stars and directors are doing just fine; the writers (in this case Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, and Christopher Yost) need to aim higher.”

“Oh right, the Hulk is back too. Ragnarok works him into the story in a way that’s both original and exciting, and his relationship with Thor also helps keep the film centered. Both are so well-established in this universe, their continued banter always gives the film focus. Things can get crazy, but as long as Hulk and Thor are there, the story remains grounded enough that it doesn’t get lost in the spectacle.”

“In a year where Blade Runner 2049 keeps getting hailed as two-and-a-half hours of Stanley Kubrick-esque stills, Ragnarok is two hours of heavy metal album art on display. But behind that pretty package there’s that feeling that only great films can instill in you — where the moment you come out you know you need to walk right back in. MCU stand-alones can be such a slog, so to ride an actual ride where you can feel the wind in your face the entire runtime; it feels like we’ve started anew.”

“If there’s a weak link in the line-up it’s Blanchett’s Hela. While undeniably striking as Alice Cooper’s stroppy sister, she’s one-note and outshone by Ragnarok’s other major new character, Tessa Thompson’s surly Valkyrie, at every turn. Hela’s scenes, while essential to the plot, feel an unwelcome distraction, leaving us, like Mjolnir, aching for a return to the Thunder God’s side.”

“Meanwhile, Blanchett faces her own gladiatorial battle: with the curse of the squandered Marvel villains. She wins by dint of blazing charisma but she is underused, reduced to oozing malignantly around Asgard and spearing victims. Aside from a brought-to-heel Skurge, Hela lacks someone to grapple with, to bounce off.”

“The main new addition to the cast is Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, a fallen warrior who has taken to finding new challengers for the Grandmaster’s ring to pay for her drinking habit. It’s clear in every scene she’s in that she’s the biggest badass in the room, even standing next to the massive Hemsworth, and the digital behemoth that is Hulk. Hers is probably the most pronounced and satisfying arc in the film, as she’s finally convinced to take up with Thor and not merely scour the garbage dumps for has-beens to lead to the slaughter.”

“Casting Goldblum as the Flash Gordon-esque camp evil mastermind is nothing short of genius. Doing some of the best “hand acting” since Jurassic Park, Goldblum is mesmeric in every single scene he’s in and when he’s not on screen, you will find yourself wishing he were.”

You can check out Heroic Hollywood’s and The Wrap Reporter Umberto Gonzalez’s thoughts on the movie in the video below.

Are you excited to see Thor: Ragnarok for yourself? Share your thoughts below!

In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok“, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladictorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!

5 Reasons We’re Excited For ‘Thor: Ragnarok’

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is out on home media and Spider-Man: Homecoming has been playing in theaters for a while now, so it’s time to look forward to the next Marvel movies, the first being Thor: Ragnarok.

The trailer for the film is incredible. The vibe, the action, the set-design, the soundtrack, every element of the trailer screams, “This is a different kind of Thor movie.”

And that’s exactly what we need. Thor: The Dark World was the most easily forgettable Marvel sequel, only distinguishable from the original for its use of fan-favorite villain Loki. Thor: Ragnarok looks poised to switch up the formula, seeming more like a fun intergalactic romp than a brooding space epic.

Judging from the trailer and other positive buzz, there’s plenty of cause to be excited for Thor: Ragnarok. Here are the 5 reasons why. Click next to get started!